Gorgias Press is delighted to host the annual international Classical Islamic World Book Prize (CIW). Based on the decision of an internationally renowned panel of scholars, the CIW recognises up to three exceptional early-career contributions to the academic study of the classical Islamic world. In particular, the CIW invites scholars from across the world to submit unpublished monographs that are either revised PhD theses or first Postdoctoral monographs.

Now entering its fourth year, the first place winner will receive $500 worth of Gorgias Press publications. Prizes are also awarded to second and third place submissions. All authors of winning submissions are awarded an inscribed plaque and a (optional) contract to publish their monograph under Gorgias Press’ Islamic History and Thought Series.

The panel of judges for the 2020 competition are:

Dr Maher Jarrar - American University of Beirut

Dr Harry Munt - University of York

Dr Ahmed El Shamsy - University of Chicago

Dr Adam Talib - University of Durham

Dr. George Kiraz, Editor-in-Chief of Gorgias Press, said:

‘‘The Classical Islamic World prize is an important part of Gorgias’ longstanding commitment to supporting unique and valuable research on both the Islamic world and the wider Near East across Late Antiquity. Most importantly, the prize will highlight and support the important work being carried out by young academics at a point in their careers when such support is most needed.’’

To enter a submission, please send the following information, in pdf format, to adam@gorgiaspress.com:

- Covering Letter: This should include your name, contact details/affiliation(s), and the names/affiliations of your supervisors, if applicable.

- Letter of Support: In a maximum of 700 words, provide an abstract of your thesis/monograph and describe what unique contribution your book makes to the field.

- References (optional): Provide up to two letters of support from supervisors, or established specialists in the field who are familiar with your book, on the originality and value of the work.

- CV

- The manuscript

The deadline for submissions will be Thursday 31st December 2020 (midnight) and the winners will be announced on July 1st 2021. For more information about the CIW, the submission guidelines and criteria, and the judging process, please contact Gorgias Press’ Islamic Studies editor: adam@gorgiaspress.com.

The 2019 Classical Islamic World Book Prize Winners

Joint 1st Place:

Dr Farid Suleiman

Ibn Taymiyya und die Attribute Gottes / The Methodological Foundations of Ibn Taymiyya's Doctrine of Divine Attributes

Weltgeschichtsschreibung zwischen Schia und Sunna. Ḫvāndamīrs (gest. 1535-6) Ḥabīb as-siyar und seine Rezeption im Handschriftenzeitalter

Writing World History Between Shia and Sunna: Khvāndamīr’s (d. 1535–36) Ḥabīb al-siyar and its Reception in the Manuscript Age

The 2018 Classical Islamic World Book Prize Winners

1st Place: Dr Laura Hassan

Ash‘arism encounters Avicennism: Sayf al-Dīn al-Āmidī on Creation

2nd Place: Dr I-Wen Su

The Shīʿī Past in the Great Book of the Songs: a New Perspective on the Kitāb al-Aghānī by Abū al-Faraj al-Iṣfahānī and Shīʿī Islam in the Tenth Century

3rd Place: Dr Avraham Elmakias

The Naval Commanders of Early Islam: a Prosopographical Approach 

The 2017 Classical Islamic World Book Prize Winners 

1st Place: Dr Manolis Ulbricht

Coranus Graecus: Die älteste überlieferte Koranübersetzung in der «Ἀνατροπὴ τοῦ Κορανίου » des Niketas von Byzanz

Narrative Representations of Abū Bakr (d. 13/634) in the Second/Eighth Century

3rd Place: Dr Ahmad Sukkar

Structures of Light: The Body and Architecture in Premodern Islam